The Wars of Roses, the great dynastic 15th-century conflict between the houses of Lancaster and York, was marked by a series of bloody battles, one of which took place on the boundary of the London Borough of Barnet and Hertfordshire.
Barnet: the ongoing archaeological search for Greater London’s only medieval battlefield
February 1, 2018 by
London Merchants and Their Residences
January 24, 2018 by
During the Middle Ages, London was home to one of the largest and richest merchant communities in the world. These men and their families invested heavily in fine architecture both for business and pleasure.
Carpenters in Medieval London c. 1240 – c. 1540
December 18, 2017 by
Carpenters in medieval London have not previously been the focus of sustained research, either as a group, or as individuals. This thesis contributes fresh understanding to our perspective on London in the later Middle Ages by providing new information about this lesser known craft.
‘To Avoide All Envye, Malys, Grudge and Displeasure’: Sociability and Social Networking at the London Wardmote Inquest, c.1470–1540
December 11, 2017 by
‘To Avoide All Envye, Malys, Grudge and Displeasure’: Sociability and Social Networking at the London Wardmote Inquest, c.1470–1540 By Charlotte Berry The London Journal, 42:3, 201-217 In 1540, the men chosen as members of the jury for the Aldersgate wardmote set down a series of regulations ‘for good rule and order to be kepte and observed […]
The Medieval Magazine (Volume 3, No. 13) : Vikings!
August 2, 2017 by
In this issue: Vikings, zombies, medieval music, stew, and celebrating 600 years of London’s history.
Frail or hale: Skeletal frailty indices in Medieval London skeletons
June 21, 2017 by
The representative nonmonastic, or lay, community in Medieval London comprises samples from Guildhall Yard (1140–1350 CE), Spital Square (1200–1500 CE), St. Mary Graces (1350–1538 CE), and St. Benet Sherehog (1250–1666 CE).
Verba vana: empty words in Ricardian London
May 9, 2017 by
Verba vana: empty words in Ricardian London By Robert Ellis PhD Dissertation, Queen Mary, University of London, 2012 Abstract: Verba Vana, or ‘empty words’, are named as among the defining features of London by a late fourteenth-century Anglo-Latin poem which itemises the properties of seven English cities. This thesis examines the implications of this description; […]
Changing Places: a comparative discussion of London and Tours in the Early Medieval Period
March 29, 2017 by
This paper examines the developmental stages that occurred at two settlements which saw significant changes from the 5th to 12th centuries AD; London and Tours.
Intercession and Motherhood: The Queenships of Philippa of Hainault and Anne of Bohemia
March 8, 2017 by
In this post, author Conor Byrne discusses the rule of two medieval queens: Anne of Bohemia and Philippa of Hainault.
Leprosy and Plague in St Giles in the Fields
March 3, 2017 by
Author and historian, Rebecca Rideal, on leprosy in London during the Middles Ages and Early Modern period.
The Medieval Magazine: Celebrating International Women’s Day (Volume 3, Issue 4)
March 2, 2017 by
We’ve just released our latest issue of the Medieval Magazine in celebration of International Women’s Day!
A Family of Mercers in Medieval London
January 22, 2017 by
A fourteenth century family coordinating elements of English life, the academy, the church, the crown, land, commerce and family connections to become significant participants in London life.
The Growth of London as a Port from Roman to Medieval Times
December 19, 2016 by
Rather than describing a history of the port of London, it seems more appropriate to say PORTS of London, since the locations, vessels, cargoes and waterfront facilities differed as much as the prevalent languages, cultures and currencies.
BOOK EXCERPT: King Cnut and the Viking Conquest of England 1016 by W.B. Bartlett
November 2, 2016 by
The Viking Conquest of England in 1016, saw two great warriors, the Danish prince Cnut, and his equally ruthless English opponent, King Edmund Ironside fight an epic campaign.
1390 AD: London in the Late Middle Ages
October 26, 2016 by
Last week, we spoke with Dr. Matthew Green about his new History of London course. This week, we take a peek into the first lecture of the series, a ‘teaser’ on Medieval London in 1390.
A History of London: 600 Years in 6 Weeks
October 12, 2016 by
On the tail of his successful Unreal City Audio tours, and the release of his critically acclaimed book, London: A Travel Guide Through Time, Dr. Matthew Green has launched his latest venture, the History of London Course.
Medieval English Embroidery on Display for the Last Time at the V&A’s Opus Anglicanum Exhibit
October 3, 2016 by
The V&A Museum opened its latest medieval exhibit exhibit on Saturday: Opus Anglicanum: Masterpieces of English Medieval Embroidery. I had the opportunity to see it opening day and it was spectacular.
Places to See: London in 7 Drinks
August 3, 2016 by
Can you tell history through a pint? Or a cup of coffee perhaps? According to Dr. Matthew Green you can. The historian and author turned his passion for history into Unreal City Audio: London Walking Tours.
‘Ill-Liver of Her Body:’ A Legal Examination of Prostitution in Late Medieval Greater London
June 20, 2016 by
I will be examining how women—specifically prostitutes—were placed under male authority and marginalized in London and Southwark, despite the divergent legal practices seen in these two adjacent areas of Greater London.
The Mayor of London: The First, The Cursed, and the Worst Mayor in London’s History
May 13, 2016 by
London is an old city, with over 2,000 years of history under its belt. When did London have its first mayor? Who were some of Londons best loved, most reviled, and scandalous mayors from days gone by? The role of mayor has a long and rich history going back over 800 years to the reign of Richard the Lionheart (1157-1199). We’re hoping back in time to take a look at three of London’s more memorable mayors.
Crusaders, Pilgrims, and Relics – Bearers of the Cross: Material Religion in the Crusading World 1095-1300
April 15, 2016 by
The Museum of the Order of St. John is hosting a series of events and talks to promote their project: Bearers of the Cross: Material Religion in the Crusading World 1095-1300.
The Funeral of Queen Elizabeth of York, the First Tudor Queen of England
March 15, 2016 by
Elizabeth of York, Queen to King Henry VII of England, died in the Tower of London on February 11, 1503. She had given birth to a daughter Katherine on February 2 and never recovered. The death was a shock to her husband, her children and to the nation.
BOOK REVIEW: The Butcher Bird by SD Sykes
December 29, 2015 by
My review of SD Sykes follow up to “Plague Land”, her latest book, “The Butcher Bird”.
Book Review: Hidden Britain by Alvin Nicholas
December 26, 2015 by
Tourism with a twist? Tired of the same old tours and droning guides? Alvin Nicholas’s book on manors, mansions, castles, nooks and crannies, reveals there’s more to Britain than meets the eye.
‘Now Is the Winter of Our Discontent’: “Good” King Richard Takes the Stage
December 20, 2015 by
The Golden Age Theatre Company, who put on this reboot of Richard’s life, tried to portray a different side of the story
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